How far is Bakersfield, CA from Ridgecrest, CA?
The driving distance from Bakersfield, CA to Ridgecrest, CA is about 112.6 miles (181.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.7 miles (125.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 19m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Desert in southwestern United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bakersfield and Ridgecrest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bakersfield and Ridgecrest.
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1
Start on Truxtun Avenue
670 ft · 20 sec · Truxtun Avenue
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2
Turn right onto L Street
1710 ft · 49 sec · L Street
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3
Turn left onto California Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · California Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Union Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · Union Avenue
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5
Take the exit slight right toward CA 58 East: Mojave
1111 ft · 27 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
53.5 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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7
Continue on Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 14: Bishop, Mojave
2375 ft · 56 sec
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9
Merge slight right onto Aerospace Highway
17.1 mi · 20 min · Aerospace Highway
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10
Continue on Midland Trail
1729 ft · 23 sec · Midland Trail
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11
Turn right onto Redrock Randsburg Road
12.1 mi · 17 min · Redrock Randsburg Road
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12
Continue on Garlock Road
8.4 mi · 12 min · Garlock Road
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
9.8 mi · 11 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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14
Turn slight right onto South China Lake Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · South China Lake Boulevard
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15
Turn left onto West Ridgecrest Boulevard
127 m · 26 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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16
Continue on West Ridgecrest Boulevard
23 m · 3 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bakersfield and Ridgecrest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
Merge slight left onto Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
53.5 mi · 01h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bakersfield and Sunny near Ridgecrest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bakersfield to Ridgecrest?
The road trip is about 112.6 miles (181.2 km) and usually takes 02h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mojave is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.3 miles from Bakersfield and 56.4 miles from Ridgecrest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.7 miles (125.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:52 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.90 one way or $45.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bakersfield and Sunny near Ridgecrest.
Stop Ideas Near Mojave
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mojave.
Mojave, California
Tehachapi, California
Lancaster, California
Palmdale (Amtrak Thruway), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bakersfield and Ridgecrest. Straight-line distance: 77.75 mi (125.12 km).
#1 Bakersfield
The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Bakersfield metropolitan area.
| Population | 385,725 |
| Coordinates | 35.3732900, -119.0187100 |
| Altitude | 123 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ridgecrest
City in California
| Population | 29,135 |
| Coordinates | 35.6224600, -117.6709000 |
| Altitude | 698 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ridgecrest (-117.6709, 35.62246)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 181 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $22.90 | $45.81 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $24.08 | $48.16 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $24.78 | $49.57 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $30.04 | $60.08 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.